Curing and Decomposition of an Amino Resin by TGA-MS and TGA-FTIR

Introduction

The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the curing reaction of an amino resin and to analyze the main decomposition products.

The condensation reaction (1) of an amino group with formaldehyde under acidic conditions (as catalyst) can also theoretically be accompanied by side reactions (2) and (3). Depending on the catalyst concentration, the curing temperature and the number of methylol groups (R–NR2–CH2–OH) per monomer, the following reactions may occur:

(1) Condensation between a methylol and an amino group or between two methylol groups (formation of water). This is the desired reaction for crosslinking (2) Cleavage of methylene groups (formation of formaldehyde) (3) Reverse reaction of ether formation (release of methanol).

The nature of volatile products released in the polycondensation reaction indicates whether reaction (1) dominates.

Sample:             Urea-formaldehyde (UF) and melamine-formaldehyde (MF) resin in the ratio 90:10 with p-toluene sulfonic acid as catalyst (0.4%)

Measuring cell: TGA-FTIR and TGA-MS

^{Curing and Decomposition of an Amino Resin by TGA-MS and TGA-FTIR | Thermal Analysis Handbook No.HB612 | Application published in METTLER TOLEDO TA Application Handbook Evolved Gas Analysis}